Courtesy of Brandon Artists Guild
Works of art by local artist, Gene Childers will be featured at Brandon Artists Guild.
Friday, March 6 at 5 p.m. — BRANDON — The whimsical art of local artist Gene Childers will be on display at Brandon Artist Guild, opening with a reception on Friday, March 6. Says artist Gene Childers, “Making art is pure fun and adventure. Every piece I make is an opportunity to explore and learn.” Known locally as a musician and educator, Childers began creating art in 2003, with a need to soothe his soul. He set out to create just five pieces; then what began as a distraction evolved into a passion. It was creative expression without pretense or performance pressure.
The primary elements Childers brings to his work are imagination, whimsy, playfulness, and humor, by re-purposing, re-cycling, and re-imagining objects into art. Acrylic paint is freely used for its immediacy and vibrant colors. The work is informed by expressionism, abstractionism, surrealism, nineteenth century circus poster lithography and especially ethnographic art.
This show is a sampling of work taken from the more than 200 pieces Childers has created over an 11-year period. Included are sculptures and assemblages made into bugs, musical creations and mobiles as well as paintings and drawings. With the feeling of a three-ring circus, there will be more than you can comprehend in a moment. Childers intends for you to tap into your childlike spirit, uninhibited, not restrained, and scratch your head and smile. “You never know what you will see to set your imagination free,” says Childers.
An opening reception will be held on Friday, March 6 from 5 – 7 p.m. This museum style exhibition will be on view in its entirety from March 6 to April 28. Winter hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Brandon Artists Guild is located at 7 Center Street, Brandon. For more info, call 802-247-4956 or visit www.brandonartistsguild.org.
